There was a posting on craigslist.com recently about a certain modeling agency being a "scam". I wondered what this poster meant, so I sent an email and the poster called me. He had his story ready!

Seems the agency in question - SHOCK - told him he had to pay to have initial photos done! Then - SHOCK - told him he'd have to pay for comp cards. Then - SHOCK - the only work he got from them was doing promo work (handing out samples at grocery stores).

I told him that it isn't at all unusual for models to pay for photos and comp cards. He said, and I quote, "Well, I just signed with Elite, and they paid for the photos and comp cards." I didn't bother to mention that they probably put those fees in the "model owes us" column of their ledger.

I asked him if he got to keep all of the photos Elite paid for. He said he got copies of the good ones and, "I also own the copyright."

Okay, I'm no expert when it comes to agencies or the Real World of modeling, but it seems like this kid didn't get scammed, he just wasn't aware of the Real World of modeling. He said, "As a model, I shouldn't have to pay for anything. The agency pays for it all."

I about choked. I do know better than that.

He was so cock sure of his opinion, I didn't even offer a rebuttal.

fwiw, the agency in question does come up on Google when you search for their name and scam you get a bunch of links, but most of the complaints sound like disgruntled people - not outright scammed.

Someone posted here on GG an article or link to an article about what to expect if you want to be a model. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

you are right, he did not get scammed. Almost all smaller agencies require you to get your own photo's and promotional material together, they do help you in makeing the right choices though. And yes, your are right again on the bigger agencies. They may choose to cover the cost of your initial start up, yet they do deduct these costs from your first paying gig. Smaller agencies usually don't have the means to do this.

People have alot of misconseptions of what an agency is and what they do. I like to call it the pixie dust syndrom.

A few of the most disturbing things I ran across working for my agent for three years:

Talent/model-no experiance or photos: "if you want me, you will pay for everything" NO "then I will submit to someone else" go right ahead, they will tell you the same.

Talent/model- "once I am signed, I should be rich and famous and working on large projects immediantly" NO, you must work hard and learn your craft, we get you to the audition, YOU make it happen.

<CENTER> Sarah who is hoping to have the opportunity to repay those costs!
(I pretty sure she will.)</CENTER>

This is from a post, "Running to Daylight", I made recently on Garage Glamour about a model who was signed by one of the major fashion agencies here in Miami:

".........you are responsible for these expenses, comps, tests, and a listing of your portfolio through us on Model Wire. The model's apartment costs.......... Oh, we will pay for these and charge your account, you will pay us back as your jobs start booking."

Also, I mention these and other costs and how they are handled in several of my published articles about modeling, agencies and getting started which are available through my main photography website.